Semi-pro footballer suspended; caught with storing cocaine in his bedroom

A semi-pro footballer has been suspended after being caught with storing cocaine in his bedroom within his granny’s house.

Former Oxford City and North Leigh player Henry Landers, who is currently a striker for Banbury United has admitted holding the 2.6g of cocaine for a dealer but, in a basis of plea, refused to name them ‘for fear of consequences’.

The 21-year-old, dubbed as impressive by many for his footballing ability, was spared an immediate spell behind bars at Oxford Crown Court on Wednesday, with Recorder Emily Formby QC noting that it was the first time he had been in trouble and was he helping to look after his grandmother.

The court heard learned how Landers had not yet told his boss at Banbury United that he was in court – although North Leigh director of football Craig Dore provided a reference praising the striker’s politeness and professionalism.

It would be tough for the player to get game time, as he’d would be made to wear a curfew tag around his ankle. The tag could interfere with wearing shinpads and might get damaged on the football field, the judge was told.

Kellie Enever, mitigating, said Landers had no previous convictions and there were question marks over whether he would still be able to play for the Southern League club given he’d admitted holding the drugs.

“He is only too aware of – to put it bluntly – the stupidity of a decision he made last year,” she said.

References read to the court described the offending as out of character after police searched Landers’ grandmother’s house in May last year.

In his bedroom, they came across six wraps of cocaine with a total weight of 2.6g, along with scales and a drugs line phone.

They also found was more than £700 in cash, taken from his car, and designer clothing. Landers said the cash and clothes were connected to his then sideline business selling designer clothing on website Depop.

In a basis of plea, the defendant said he had been paid £50 to hold the drugs for another person. “I am not prepared to say who that person is for fear of the consequences,” he added.

Landers, of Collinwood Road, Oxford, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to possession with intent to supply cocaine and Recorder Formby sentenced him to 14 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years, stating she was prepared to take an ‘exceptional course’. Landers has now been forced to complete up to 41 rehabilitation sessions and pay £1,000 in costs.

The board for the non league club Banbury United issued a statement on Friday the 17th of September, which said: “Yesterday morning we became aware of Henry Landers court case and sentence as reported in the media.

“The club have taken the action to suspend Henry for 14 days, and therefore he will not travel with the Squad to Nantwich.

“During this time the club will consider the matter further and will make another announcement in due course.”

The BUFC club website says that Henry Landers is a striker for the first team who had joined back in summer 2020.

@only1womble: Love how pathetic our liberal court system is. How helping to look after his grandmother & difficulties for his footballing career become an excuse. No thought for the lives these drugs will destroy or the crime that will be committed to buy them. He’s a drug dealer

Stew Mash: Wow, a whole 14 month SUSPENDED sentence, what a deterrent!!!! He won’t do it again- will he?????? Judges- GET REAL!!!!!

Margaret Woodall: That is why you will never stop drugs. In fact encouraging it which is disgraceful. Waste of Police time and energy. Justice is not served in this country at all.

Daniel Baxter: The low sentence is because he’s in possession of almost no cocaine 😂

Trevor Absolom: That’ll learn him

Rob Barnes: 14 months suspended. What a deterrent. I can only imagine the fear coursing through his veins right now

Linda Harvey: Stew Mash its a joke .punishment never fits the crime these judges need to get a grip on this.

Steve Carter: “Suspended” – Pedals hard drugs to kids. What a country

Paula Rutter: Good job TVP, when are the courts going to get on board and hand out appropriate sentences???

David Janes: Justice system is not fit for purpose